Radiators

[cbez]

If you are going to repaint radiators, how do you prep them? Can you use a heat gun and scraper to remove the old paint? They have been removed from walls and emptied.

 

[Richard C]

Is the original finish really that bad you can’t paint over it after a light sanding & de-grease? Ordinary heat gun won't work as the steel will dissipate the heat too quickly without affecting the paint. Chemical paint stripper is probably the quickest way but it’s very messy; or you could try a blow lamp!

 

[cbez]

Yes, I think we probably could just sand and de-grease. What do you use to degrease (do you just wash them down?) and then should we just paint over the sanded paint with radiator paint?
Thanks

 

[Richard C]

Don’t go too heavy with sanding paint on steel panels & do it in straight lines not circular or you will see scratches in the new finish; what your looking for is to provide a key so the original paint is dull not to remove it. I would use 220 grade wet or dry (used dry), wipe it over with ordinary white spirit & allow to dry; use radiator paint if you want a white finish, ordinary gloss will quickly yellow.

 

[compact]

if you have the time and want a great finish the get yourself.

Nitromoze, Bits of soft wood, iron wool and a day.

The Nirtomoze rips through anything.
The wood bits, I had from an old wardrobe, proved great for scraping the gunk off, as the 'melted' paint sticks to anything and everything, so the wood can be thrown away.
This leaves a smooth finish.
Wash down, re apply if needed.
Iron wool, is not very abrasive, so no major scratching.

I got mine back to the bare metal then used radiator spray paint, to paint it.

Looked like new